Definitions For Contraction

noun

• The act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
• (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
• A word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds
• The process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
• The act or process of making something smaller or of becoming smaller
• A movement of a muscle that causes it to become tight and that is sometimes painful ; especially : a movement of muscles in the womb when a woman is giving birth to a child
• A short form of a word or word group that is made by leaving out a sound or letter